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Twenty years of untangling triumphs and tragedies

By Meghan Yuri Young Video by Thomas Obewu Since its 2003 full production debut, Trey Anthony’s trailblazing and award-winning ‘da

Dec 02, 2022/

NowPlayingToronto /

By Meghan Yuri Young
Video by Thomas Obewu

Since its 2003 full production debut, Trey Anthony’s trailblazing and award-winning ‘da Kink In My Hair has broken box-office sales records in Canada, the United States, and England. Now — as it returns to Toronto with a brand-new production — the play is bringing back familiar faces.

For hairdresser Novelette Campbell, every curl, wave, coil, lock, and root tells a story. In the imagined Eglinton West hair salon at the centre of ‘da Kink In My Hair, Novelette unmasks her clients’ innermost thoughts just by touching their tresses. This intimate storytelling device sets the stage for a musical testament to the challenges and victories in the lives of Black women.

Now, 20 years after its full production debut, the brainchild of playwright Trey Anthony is being celebrated with a totally revitalized production at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts’ Bluma Appel Theatre. Presented by Soulpepper Theatre Company and TO Live, the play is also reuniting many of the original cast members — including d’bi.young anitafrika, Satori Shakoor, and Miranda Edwards — with director Weyni Mengesha. Best known today as Soulpepper’s artistic director, Weyni directed, wrote the Dora-nominated score and lyrics, and played in the band for the first full ‘da Kink In My Hair production at Theatre Passe Muraille in June 2003. She also reprised these roles in the 2005 Mirvish-produced remount at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

For Weyni and the cast, ‘da Kink In My Hair’s return is an opportunity to reflect on their own growth while introducing new audiences to the powerful healing that can happen when women come together.

“We’ve been … very intentionally … developing new voices. It’s important that we hear that intersection of culture, and specifically, Toronto.” – Weyni Mengesha, ‘da Kink In My Hair director and Soulpepper Theatre Company’s artistic director

Experience the cast’s full circle moment — and da’ Kink In My Hair’s unforgettable stories of love, hope, survival, and redemption — from Dec. 6 to 23, 2022 at the Bluma Appel Theatre inside the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. Tickets are on sale now.

Since its 2003 full production debut, Trey Anthony’s trailblazing and award-winning ‘da Kink In My Hair has broken box-office sales records in Canada, the United States, and England. Now — as it returns to Toronto with a brand-new production — the play is bringing back familiar faces.

“We’ve been … very intentionally … developing new voices. It’s important that we hear that intersection of culture, and specifically, Toronto.” – Weyni Mengesha, ‘da Kink In My Hair director and Soulpepper Theatre Company’s artistic director

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